Crist Makes Run for Florida Congressional Seat Official

Citing the likelihood that the Florida Supreme Court’s June ruling against the legislature’s gerrymandering of congressional districts, former Gov. (and former Republican) Charlie Crist officially declared his intentions for Congress.

Crist detailed that should the a new district be drawn as recommended by the Court which is likely to include his Tampa Bay-area home, he will be “running to serve the people again.”

Crist was defeated in 2010 by Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate and then again last year by Rick Scott in his bid to be re-installed in the governor’s mansion.

He declined to run for the senate seat in early 2015, saying “I will not be seeking office in 2016, but I will be working alongside you” — rather broad terms that one might think include the congressional seat as well.

The congressional seat will be open after an announcement by GOP Rep. David Jolly to run for Rubio’s Senate seat which is being vacated for his presidential bid.